The Gift

by Julie Garwood

  “Oh?” Colin asked. He caught the surprised look on Nathan’s face and became all the more curious. “And what might that be?”

  “Damn it, Sara.”

  Colin couldn’t believe he’d heard correctly. “Did you say—”

  “Nathan usually addresses me as Damn It Sara. Don’t you, dear?” she asked her husband. “Colin, you may also—”

  As if on cue, Nathan muttered, “Damn it, Sara, don’t push me. I . . .”

  Even he saw the humor then and joined in the laughter. Then Matthew once again reminded them that there was business to attend to and that they’d best get on with it.

  The teasing banter ended. Sara sat quietly while she listened to Colin give Nathan a catch-up on the firm’s activities. She smiled when Colin announced that they had five more contracts to ship supplies to the Indies.

  “Nathan, does that mean we’re . . .”

  “No, we aren’t rich yet.”

  She looked crestfallen.

  “We’ll all be rich when you—”

  “I know what my duty is,” she blurted out. “You don’t have to explain it in front of my staff.”

  Nathan smiled. Colin shook his head. “I haven’t followed any of that,” he admitted. “What is the duty you have to perform that will make us rich?”

  From the way Lady Sara blushed, Colin concluded the matter was of a personal nature. He remembered that Nathan had told him the king’s treasure wouldn’t be handed over until Sara gave her husband an heir. Because of Sara’s obvious discomfort, however, Colin decided to let the topic drop.

  “For the love of God,” Matthew muttered, “quit this chitchat. I’m itching to get going, Colin. I’ve got some personal dealings to settle before the week’s out.”

  “Are you going somewhere?” Colin asked.

  “Oh, heavens, Matthew, you haven’t told Colin about Nora,” Sara interjected.

  “Who is Nora?”

  Sara was happy to explain. She hadn’t realized the details she’d given until she was finishing up her explanation. “I cannot say more, Colin, about the quickness of the wedding, for to do so would damage my aunt’s reputation.”

  “Sara, you already told him everything,” Nathan interjected dryly.

  From his position behind the desk Colin had a clear view of the street beyond the open doorway. Sara had just begun to explain why she hadn’t truly revealed her aunt’s unusual circumstances when a black carriage swayed to a stop across the street. There were five men on horseback escorting the vehicle.

  Colin recognized the seal on the side door. It was the Earl of Winchester’s family crest. He gave Nathan a barely perceptible nod, then returned his attention to Sara.

  Nathan immediately moved away from the ledge, motioned to Jimbo and Matthew, and then casually walked outside.

  Sara didn’t pay any attention to the men. She was determined to convince Colin that her aunt was a decent woman and that she would never have become so passionately involved with Matthew if she hadn’t loved him with all her heart. She also wanted his promise not to repeat a word of what she’d inadvertently blurted out about her aunt.

  Just as soon as he gave her the promise she wanted she started to turn around to see what her husband was doing. Colin stopped her by asking another question.

  “Sara, what do you think of our office?”

  “I don’t wish to injure your feelings, Colin, but I do believe it’s rather drab. It could be very attractive, though. We need only paint the walls and add drapes. I’d be happy to supervise this task. Pink would be a lovely color, don’t you think?”

  “No,” he said, in such a cheerful tone of voice that she wasn’t at all offended. She became a little uneasy, however, when he opened the center drawer of the desk and took out a pistol. “Pink’s a woman’s color,” Colin said then. “We’re men. We like dark, ugly colors.”

  His grin indicated he was jesting with her. Besides, she reasoned, although she didn’t know him at all well, she was certain he wouldn’t shoot her just because he didn’t care for the color she’d suggested. Nathan wouldn’t let him.

  As to that, where was her husband? Sara stood up and started for the doorway. She spotted Nathan standing between Jimbo and Matthew across the street. The trio was blocking the door of a black carriage. Sara couldn’t see the seal. Jimbo’s large bulk blocked it. “Who are they talking to, I wonder. Do you know, Colin?”

  “Come and sit down, Sara. Wait for Nathan to come back inside.”

  She was about to do just that when Jimbo shifted positions and she saw the crest. “That’s my father’s carriage,” she cried out in surprise. “How in heaven’s name did he know so soon that we were back in London?”

  Colin didn’t answer her, for Sara had already rushed out the doorway. He shoved the pistol into his pocket and hurried after her.

  She hesitated at the curb. Her stomach suddenly tightened up. Oh, God, she hoped her father and Nathan were getting along. And who were those other men?

  “Don’t borrow trouble,” she whispered to herself. She took a deep breath, picked up her skirts, and rushed across the street just as her father climbed out of the carriage.

  The earl of Winchester was considered by many to be a distinguished-looking gentleman. He still had a full head of hair, though most of it was silver-colored, and his belly was more firm than round. He stood two inches below six feet in height. He had the same shade of brown eyes Sara did, but that was the only resemblance they shared. Her father’s nose was eagle-sized. When he frowned, or squinted against the sun, as he was doing at that moment, his eyes disappeared behind narrow slits. His lips, when pressed together, were as thin as a finely drawn line.

  Sara wasn’t afraid of her father, but he did worry her, for the simple reason that he wasn’t at all predictable. She never knew what he was going to do. Sara hid her concern and rushed forward dutifully to embrace her father. Nathan noticed how the earl stiffened in response to Sara’s touch.

  “I’m so surprised to see you, Father,” Sara began. She stepped back and took hold of Nathan’s arm. “How did you know we were back in London so soon after our arrival? Why, our trunks haven’t even left the ship yet.”

  Her father quit frowning at Nathan long enough to give her an answer. “I’ve had my men watching the water since the day you left, Sara. Now come along with me. I’m taking you home where you belong.”

  The anger in her father’s voice alarmed her. She instinctively moved closer to her husband. “Home? But Father, I’m married to Nathan. I must go home with him. Surely you realize . . .”

  She stopped trying to explain when the carriage door opened and her older sister Belinda climbed out.

  God’s truth, Sara was sorry to see her. Belinda was smiling. That wasn’t a good sign. The only time Belinda ever appeared to be happy was when there was trouble brewing. She smiled a lot then.

  Belinda had gained a considerable amount of weight since Sara had last seen her. The gold-colored walking dress she wore was straining at the seams. Her sister was heavy-boned and given to fat anyway, and the extra pounds she’d put on had settled around her midriff. She looked more pregnant than not. As a child Belinda had been the pretty sister. The men in the family doted on her. She had curly sun-yellowed hair, a dimple in each cheek, and adorable blue eyes. As she’d grown into womanhood, however, the dimples had been swallowed up in her overly rounded cheeks. Her glorious hair had turned into a mousy brown. The darling of the Winchester family wasn’t the center of attention any longer. Belinda’s answer to that change in status was to console herself with food.

  Sara, on the other hand, had been a rather plain, lankylegged child. She was terribly awkward, and her permanent teeth had seemed to take forever to come in straight. For almost a year she spit whenever she spoke. No one except her nanny and her mother ever doted on her.

  It was a sin not to love her sister, and for that reason alone Sara loved Belinda. She thought she understood her sister’s cruel streak. It had bee
n born out of all the disappointments she’d suffered, and Sara always tried to be patient and understanding with her. When Belinda wasn’t in a snit about something she could actually be quite pleasant.

  Sara tried to concentrate on her sister’s good qualities when she called out her greeting. Her grip on Nathan’s arm was at great odds with her cheerful tone of voice. “Belinda, how nice it is to see you again.”

  Her sister rudely stared at Nathan while she returned her sister’s greeting. “I’m happy you’re finally home, Sara.”

  “Is Mother with you?” Sara asked.

  The earl of Winchester answered her question. “Your mother’s at home, where she belongs. Get into the carriage, daughter. I don’t want trouble, but I’m prepared for it,” he added. “You’re coming with us. No one knows you’ve been with the marquess, and if we—”

  “Oh, Papa,” Belinda interrupted, “you know that isn’t true. Everyone knows. Why, consider all the notes of sympathy we’ve received since Sara left.”

  “Silence!” the earl roared. “Dare you contradict me?”

  Sara moved so quickly Nathan didn’t have time to stop her. She pulled Belinda away from her father’s side and positioned herself between them. “Belinda didn’t mean to contradict you,” Sara said.

  Her father looked somewhat mollified. “I won’t tolerate insolence,” he muttered. “As to the few who do know about your disgraceful conduct, daughter,” he continued, addressing his frown and his full attention to Sara, “they’ll keep their mouths shut. If a scandal breaks before I’ve settled this matter, I’ll face it.”

  Sara was more concerned than ever. When her father acted so sure of himself there was always mischief afoot. “What scandal, Father?” she asked. “Nathan and I haven’t done anything to cause gossip. We’re obeying all the conditions set down in the contract.”

  “Don’t mention the contract to me, daughter. Now get into the carriage before I order my men to draw their weapons.”

  The ache in Sara’s stomach intensified. She was going to have to defy her father. It was a first for her. Oh, she’d often stood up to him, but it was always in defense of her mother or her sister, never herself.

  She slowly backed away until she was once again standing next to Nathan. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Father, but I cannot go with you. My place is with my husband.”

  The earl was infuriated. To have his daughter openly defy him in front of witnesses was humiliating. He reached out to slap her. Nathan was quicker. He grabbed hold of the earl’s wrist and started to squeeze. Hard. He wanted to break the bone in half.

  Sara stopped him by merely touching him. When she sagged against his side he immediately let go of her father and put his arm around her shoulder. He could feel her trembling and became all the more furious.

  “She isn’t going anywhere, old man,” Nathan announced in a low, controlled voice.

  The denial was obviously the signal the earl’s men needed. The pistols were drawn and pointed at Nathan.

  Sara let out a gasp. She couldn’t believe what was happening. She tried to put herself in front of Nathan to protect him. He wouldn’t let her move. He tightened his hold and continued to stare at her father. He smiled. Sara didn’t know what to make of that reaction.

  Surely he understood the severity of the situation. “Nathanial?” she whispered. She used that name as a method to put him on his guard. She leaned up and then whispered, “You don’t have a pistol. They do. Please take notice of the odds, husband.”

  Nathan quit his smile and looked down at her. He knew what she did not—that the odds were indeed on his side. At least eight of his loyal crew had come running at the sight of the carriage. They were lined up behind Sara, ready and armed for a fight.

  There was also the fact that her father was bluffing. The look in his eyes indicated to Nathan that he didn’t have the mind or the courage for a direct confrontation.

  “This has gotten completely out of hand,” Sara told her father. She was so upset, her voice shook. “Order your men to put their weapons away, Father. Nothing will be solved by hurting Nathan or me.”

  The earl of Winchester didn’t give the order quickly enough. “I won’t let you hurt my husband,” Sara cried out. “I love him.”

  “He won’t hurt him,” Colin called out. “I’ll put a hole through his forehead if he tries.”

  Sara turned to look at Nathan’s friend. The transformation in Colin was so stunning to her, she caught her breath. Colin’s stance looked relaxed, and there was a smile on his face, but the coldness in his eyes clearly indicated he’d carry out his threat without suffering a moment’s qualm.

  The earl immediately motioned for his men to quit their positions. When their weapons were back inside their waistbands he tried a different approach to gain victory. “Belinda, tell your sister about your mother. Since Sara refuses to come home, she might as well hear the truth now.”

  Belinda had moved back to her father’s side. He gave her arm a little prod to get her started. “Sara, you really must come home with us,” Belinda blurted. She glanced over at her father, received his nod, and then continued. “Mother’s taken gravely ill. That’s the reason she didn’t come with us.”

  “She’s longing to see you again,” her father interjected. “Though after the way you’ve worried her, I can’t understand why.”

  Sara shook her head. “Mother isn’t ill,” she said. “This is just trickery to get me to leave Nathan, isn’t it?”

  “I would never use your mother in such a manner,” her father muttered with indignation.

  He nudged Belinda again. Nathan noticed the action and knew the scene he was witnessing had been rehearsed. He hoped his wife was astute enough to notice, too.

  Belinda took a step forward. “Mama took ill right after you left, Sara. Why, for all she knew, you could have been drowned at sea, or killed by . . . pirates.”

  “But Belinda, Mother . . .” Sara stopped. She wasn’t certain her father knew she’d left a note explaining to her mother that she was going to help Nora get back home. Her mother might have hidden the letter from her father. “I mean to say, I sent a long letter to Mama when Nathan and I reached our destination. Mama should have received the missive by now.”

  Nathan was surprised by that news. “When did you write?”

  “When you left to get supplies,” Sara explained.

  “Yes, we received both of your letters,” the earl interjected.

  Sara was about to argue that she’d only sent one letter, but she wasn’t given a chance before her father continued. “And of course, I was pleased with the information you gave me. Still, daughter, the matter is not quite resolved, and for that reason we must continue to use discretion.”

  She didn’t know what he was talking about. “What information?” she asked.

  Her father shook his head at her. “Don’t play the fool with me, Sara.” He straightened his shoulders, then turned to pull the carriage door wide. “Your mother is waiting.”

  Sara looked up at Nathan. “Will you take me to see Mother? I’ll worry until I’ve spoken to her.”

  “Later,” Nathan replied.

  Sara turned back to her father. “Please tell Mother we’ll come to visit her as soon as Nathan finishes his business here.”

  The earl of Winchester had planned to wait until he’d gotten Sara away from the marquess before putting his plan into action. He didn’t like direct conflicts. It was much more satisfying to have surprise on his side, and less dangerous as well. Yet when the marquess told him to take his leave, his rage exploded. “The prince regent has all the information before him now,” he shouted. “It’s only a matter of time till he decides you’ve violated the contract. Just you wait and see.”

  “What the hell are you rambling about?” Nathan demanded. “You’re demented if you think I’ve violated any conditions. This marriage will not be invalidated. I’ve slept with my wife. It’s too late.”

  The earl’s face turned
a blotchy red. Sara had never seen him in such a fury.

  “Father, please calm yourself. You’re going to make yourself ill.”

  “Sara, do you know what your father’s talking about?” Nathan asked.

  She shook her head. She and her husband both turned back to the earl again.

  “This is a private conversation,” Sara’s father announced. He nodded to his men. “Wait at the corner.”

  He turned to Nathan again. “Dismiss your men,” he ordered, “unless you wish for them to overhear what I’m about to say.”

  Nathan shrugged. “They stay.”

  “Father, I’ll be happy to explain,” Belinda volunteered. She smiled while she waited for their escort to leave. When the men were out of earshot she turned to Nathan. “Sara wrote to us. We never would have known if she hadn’t told, you see.”

  “What wouldn’t you have known?” Sara asked.

  Belinda let out a mock sigh. “Oh, Sara, don’t act so innocent. It isn’t necessary now.” She looked up at Nathan again and smiled. “She told us about your father. We know all about the earl of Wakersfield now. Yes, we do.”

  “No,” Sara cried out. “Belinda, why—”

  Her sister couldn’t let her continue. “Of course, Sara only gave us the bare bones, but once we had that information—well, Papa had his important friend do a little investigating, and the rest was ferreted out. When Papa’s finished, everyone in London will know that your husband’s father was a traitor.”

  The earl let out a snort of disgust. “Did you think you could keep that filth swept under the carpet?” he asked Nathan. “My God, your father nearly toppled our government. Machiavelli was a saint in comparison to your father. Those sins are now on your shoulders,” he added with a brisk nod. “When I’m finished you’ll be destroyed.”

  “Father, quit these threats,” Sara cried out. “You can’t mean them.”

  Her father ignored her plea. His gaze was directed on Nathan. “Do you honestly believe the prince regent will force my daughter to spend her life tied to an infidel like you?”